This 142.6-mile drive from Chatham to Brooklyn, NY, is best tackled in a single day, taking approximately 3 hours and 17 minutes. You'll spend about 93% of your time on highways, with an estimated fuel cost of $23. The route offers a predominantly highway-focused experience as you travel south through New York State. With only one recommended stop, this trip is designed for efficiency, making it a practical choice for a day trip or a quick transit between regions. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 62.3 miles on the Taconic State Parkway, so plan your breaks accordingly.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
71.3 miles from Chatham, NY
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 38m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Taconic State Parkway
62.3 mi
1h 24m
I 684
26.8 mi
31m
Hutchinson River Parkway
15.9 mi
23m
I 84
15.5 mi
18m
Jackie Robinson Parkway
4.8 mi
8m
Van Wyck Expressway
3.4 mi
5m
Whitestone Expressway
2.3 mi
3m
Bronx-Whitestone Bridge
1.3 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Taconic State Parkway
— 62.3 mi, about 1h 24m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Chatham, NY and Brooklyn, NY.
1
Start on Austerlitz Street
34 ft·1 sec·Austerlitz Street
2
Enter roundabout onto NY 66
111 ft·1 sec·Main Street
3
Continue on NY 66
0.1 mi·19 sec·Main Street
4
Continue on NY 66
0.5 mi·1 min·Hudson Avenue
5
Turn left onto NY 203
0.3 mi·30 sec·Coleman Street
6
Continue on NY 203
1.0 mi·1 min·State Highway 203
7
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·1 min
8
Merge onto Taconic State Parkway
62 mi·1 hr 24 min·Taconic State Parkway
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi·47 sec
Toward I 84 East: Danbury
10
Merge onto I 84
15 mi·18 min·I 84
11
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 68AToward I 684 South: White PlainsUse the right lane.
12
Merge onto I 684
27 mi·31 min·I 684
13
Keep slight left at fork
1.5 mi·2 min
Exit 1Toward Hutchinson River Parkway, New York CityUse the straight lane.
14
Merge onto Hutchinson River Parkway
7.7 mi·10 min·Hutchinson River Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto Hutchinson River Parkway
8.2 mi·12 min·Hutchinson River Parkway
Toward Whitestone BridgeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on I 678
1.2 mi·1 min·Hutchinson River Expressway
17
Continue on I 678
1.3 mi·2 min·Bronx-Whitestone Bridge
18
Continue on I 678
2.3 mi·3 min·Whitestone Expressway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
19
Keep slight left at fork onto I 678
3.4 mi·5 min·Van Wyck Expressway
Toward I 678 South: Kennedy AirportUse the slight left lane.
20
Take the exit
0.2 mi·22 sec
Exit 7Toward NY 25 West: Union Turnpike West, Jackie Robinson Parkway WestUse the slight right lane.
21
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·17 sec
Exit 7B–AToward Jackie Robinson Parkway West, Union Turnpike West
22
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·22 sec
Exit 7AToward Jackie Robinson Parkway West, BrooklynUse the slight left lane.
23
Continue on JR
4.8 mi·8 min·Jackie Robinson Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Keep slight right at fork
296 ft·10 sec
Toward East New York AvenueUse the slight right lane.
25
Continue on Jamaica Avenue
0.2 mi·26 sec·Jamaica Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
26
Continue on East New York Avenue
0.2 mi·24 sec·East New York Avenue
Use the straight lane.
27
Continue on Pacific Street
464 ft·14 sec·Pacific Street
Use the straight lane.
28
Turn left onto Sackman Street
365 ft·9 sec·Sackman Street
29
Turn right onto East New York Avenue
0.8 mi·1 min·East New York Avenue
Use the straight / left / slight right lanes.
30
Turn left onto Howard Avenue
0.2 mi·22 sec·Howard Avenue
31
Continue on Tapscott Street
0.2 mi·24 sec·Tapscott Street
32
Continue on Kings Highway
0.5 mi·54 sec·Kings Highway
33
Turn slight right
136 ft·5 sec
34
Turn straight onto Kings Highway
376 ft·12 sec·Kings Highway
35
Turn right onto NY 27
0.4 mi·53 sec·Linden Boulevard
36
Turn left onto Utica Avenue
0.1 mi·19 sec·Utica Avenue
Use the left lane.
37
Turn right onto Church Avenue
1.0 mi·2 min·Church Avenue
38
Turn left onto Nostrand Avenue
257 ft·8 sec·Nostrand Avenue
39
Arrive at destination
Nostrand Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour and 17-minute duration for 142.6 miles, this route is comfortably manageable as a one-day trip. To make the most of your drive, consider departing Chatham earlier in the morning to avoid potential traffic as you approach the NYC metropolitan area. The longest stretch without a planned stop is 62.3 miles, so ensure you have adequate fuel before starting this segment. With a low recommended stop count, flexibility is key; you can choose to stop when needed or push through to your destination. For this route, a specific tip is to be mindful of the transition from the Taconic State Parkway to I-684, as this interchange requires attention.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 71.3 miles from Chatham, NY, or about 1h 38m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 62.3 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 31 miles or 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 71.3 miles or 1h 38m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 33m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Brooklyn, NY than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Chatham, NY so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Chatham, NY
This is one driving day of about 142.6 miles and 3h 17m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 31 miles from Chatham, NY.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Taconic State Parkway for about 62.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 25
5 decision points cluster between mile 80.3 and 133.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
80.3 mi into trip|~1h 48m in
Take the exit toward I 684 South: White Plains
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 68A
Toward I 684 South: White Plains
9
107.7 mi into trip|~2h 21m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Hutchinson River Parkway, New York City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Exit 1
Toward Hutchinson River Parkway, New York City
8
133.3 mi into trip|~2h 58m in
Take the exit toward NY 25 West: Union Turnpike West, Jackie Robinson Parkway West
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 7
Toward NY 25 West: Union Turnpike West, Jackie...
8
133.4 mi into trip|~2h 59m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Jackie Robinson Parkway West, Union Turnpike West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 7B–A
Toward Jackie Robinson Parkway West, Union Turn...
10
133.5 mi into trip|~2h 59m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Jackie Robinson Parkway West, Brooklyn
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 7A
Toward Jackie Robinson Parkway West, Brooklyn
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$23.47 one way
$46.95 round trip
$4.18/gal25.4 MPG avg50 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.52
$25.38
$50.76
premium
$4.92
$27.64
$55.28
diesel
$5.61
$31.48
$62.97
Estimated Tolls: $6.55
Whitestone Bridge
$6.55
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$23
Tolls
$7
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 49.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
42.8
0
$14.97
$6.84
Efficient EV
35.7
0
$12.48
$5.70
EV Truck/SUV
57
0
$19.96
$9.13
Gas CO2
50 kg
EV CO2
17 kg (66% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 19, 2026
Origin
Chatham, NY
Afternoon
in Chatham on Tuesday
Local time
12:10 PM
EDT
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Brooklyn, NY
Afternoon
in Brooklyn on Tuesday
Local time
12:10 PM
EDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
12 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 17m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
African Burial Ground National Monument
National Monument
The African Burial Ground stands as the oldest and largest known excavated burial site in North America for both free and enslaved Africans. It offers a profound testament to the enduring legacy of Af...
5 mi from route
~13 min detour
Free
near mile 142.8
Located at the southern tip of Manhattan, Castle Clinton marks the place where New York City began and reflects the growth of both the city and the nation. Built to defend the harbor during the War of...
5 mi from route
~13 min detour
Free
near mile 142.8
Here at Federal Hall, George Washington took the oath of office as the first President of the United States, marking the beginning of the American constitutional republic. This historic site served as...
5 mi from route
~13 min detour
Free
near mile 142.8
From 1794 to 1966, the U.S. Army presence on Governors Island played a vital role in the social, political, and economic life of New York City. The island then served as the headquarters of the U.S. C...
5 mi from route
~11 min detour
Free
near mile 142.8
Spanning 27,000 acres from Sandy Hook in New Jersey to Breezy Point in New York City, the park is both the gateway from the ocean into New York Harbor, and the gateway to the National Park Service for...
6 mi from route
~15 min detour
Free
near mile 142.8
A gift of friendship from the people of France to the United States "The Statue of Liberty Enlightening the World" is recognized as a universal symbol of freedom and democracy. It was dedicated by Pre...
6 mi from route
~14 min detour
Free
near mile 142.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-centric journey for most of this 142.6-mile trip. You'll navigate primarily via the Taconic State Parkway, I-684, and the Hutchinson River Parkway, with 93% of the drive on high-speed roads. This means consistent travel speeds for long periods, including a significant 62.3-mile stretch on the Taconic State Parkway where you'll encounter uninterrupted driving. While the profile is highway-focused, the parkway sections might offer a slightly more scenic backdrop than a typical interstate. The drive is designed for forward momentum, minimizing complex intersections or slower local road segments.
93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
39 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 62.3 mi on Taconic State Parkway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Taconic State Parkway and I 684. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 80.3 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 25 significant decision points across 142.6 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 80.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 107.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 133.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Chatham, NY and Brooklyn, NY, road signs point toward New York City, Jackie Robinson Parkway West and Union Turnpike West.
Brooklyn, the "Borough of Homes and Churches," is one of the five boroughs of New York City. It used to be a separate city, and still feels much like one. It has about 2.5 million inhabitants. If separated from the rest of New York City, Brooklyn would be the 4th most populous American city.
Brooklyn is on the westernmost point of Long Island and shares a land boundary with Queens, which partially encircles Brooklyn to the north, east and south; Manhattan lies across the East River to the west and north of Brooklyn, and Staten Island is across the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge to the southwest.
Brooklyn is enjoying a period of growth and affluence not seen since before World War II. The Brooklyn Academy of Music boasts world-class theater performances, and the nearby Barclays Center is the home of the NBA's Brooklyn Nets.
Top landmarks
•Brooklyn Bridge — bridge in New York City, crossing the East River
•Brooklyn Museum — art museum in Brooklyn, New York
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 17m. Total distance: 142.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 17m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 62.3 miles on Taconic State Parkway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $6.55 in tolls one way, starting with Whitestone Bridge. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Brooklyn, NY before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 80.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 107.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 133.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — African Burial Ground National Monument, Castle Clinton National Monument and Federal Hall National Memorial (6 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Brooklyn, NY, but most travelers stay overnight.
